A FORMER Middlesbrough man facing up to 20 years in a US prison has gone on hunger and fluid strike after being remanded in custody.

Brian and Kerry Ann Howes are appealing against an order to have them sent to America to stand trial.

The couple are accused by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of knowingly supplying chemicals used in the production of the deadly drug crystal meth.

Mr Howes’ bail was revoked last Thursday when he failed to appear in court for the latest hearing.

And according to his wife, he has been on hunger strike since yesterday lunchtime.

Writing on the couple’s website, mother-of-five Mrs Howes said: “As of noon, my husband, Brian Howes, is on a hunger strike in protest of illegal remand and our illegal extradition.

“Try us here, why not? Because that’s not what they want to do. Our kids’ human rights mean nothing.”

Now living in Bo’ness, West Lothian, but originally from Middlesbrough, Mr Howes claims he is the victim of post-September 11 legislation, which allows UK citizens to be extradited to the US without a prima facie case first being made against them.

He and his wife claim they ran a legitimate business supplying firework chemicals and medical chemicals from their company Lab Chemicals International.

The chemicals in question - red phosphorus and iodine - are legal in the UK, but regulated in the States.

US authorities claim that incriminating emails, misleading packaging and evidence from undercover agents form part of their case.